Vehicle frame and body straightening devices

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for straightening vehicle frames, comprising at least one wheeled, transportable unit including at least one horizontal base bar arranged to be anchored to a support surface such as a floor and provided with a longitudinally extending guide structure for at least one straightening means mounted for longitudinal movement thereon or therein. Said straightening means comprises a substantially flat base bracket structure which is mounted for movement on one edge thereof between two vertical wall elements in the base bar. The base bracket structure is provided on its edge surfaces with abutment surfaces and/or bearing points for cooperation with auxiliary devices connected to the base bracket structure during a straightening operation.

United States Patent 1191 Samuelsson et a1.

[ Dec. 11, 1973 VEHICLE FRAME AND BODY STRAIGHTENING DEVICES [73]Assignee: Saab-Scania Aktiebolag, Sodertalje,

Sweden [22] Filed: Jan. 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 220,602

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 3,034,564 5/1962 Cavazos 72/7052,442,425 6/1948 Merrill et a1.. 72/705 3,630,066 12/1971 Chisum 72/7053,626,747 12/1971 Rouis 72/705 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,528,8655/1967 France 72/705 Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham AssistantExaminer-M. J. Keenan Att0rney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACTThe invention relates to a device for straightening vehicle frames,comprising at least one wheeled, transportable unit including at leastone horizontal base bar arranged to be anchored to a support surfacesuch as a floor and provided with a longitudinally extending guidestructure for at least one straightening means mounted for longitudinalmovement thereon or therein. Said straightening means comprises asubstantially flat base bracket structure which is mounted for movementon one edge thereof between two vertical wall elements in the base bar.The base bracket structure is provided on its edge surfaces withabutment surfaces and/or bearing points for cooperation with auxiliarydevices connected to the base bracket structure during a straighteningoperation.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDBEB n 1975 5 7 537 sun-1r 1 a? 2Fig. I

Pmmmm 1197s sum 2 or 2 VEHICLE FRAME AND BODY STRAIGHTENING DEVICES Thepresent invention pertains to workshop equip ment and relates to animprovement in vehicle frame and body straighteningdevices.

Previously known straightening devices are normally constructed forspecific functions, which means that a device constructed for vehiclebody straigtening purposes can seldom be used to straighten the frame ofa vehicle. Similarly, it is not usual that a frame straightening devicecan be used to straighten a vehicle body.

There is known to the art a vehicle body straightening device comprisinga wheeled, transportable unit which, via an upstanding post and links,chains or like means attached thereto, arranged to exert tension forcesunder the influence of hydraulic jacks or the like, to straightendeformed vehicle bodies and to repair minor damage to vehicle frame.

Known vehicle frame straightening devices do not havethe degree ofadaptability possessed by these body straightening-devices, since theframe straightening device is normally permanentlyerected at a specificlocation on the workshop floor a so-called straightening station or isintended to be assembled on said station. Thus, the frame of the vehicleframe straightening device or its structural components are anchored tobeams which have been firmly embedded in the workshop floor and, whennot in use, manyof the straightening tools and auxiliary appliancesintended for connection to the device are systematically stored in theimmediate vicinity of said device. Despite this, the erection anddismantling of a vehicle frame straightening device before and after astraightening operation entails conveying the mentioned straighteningtools and auxiliary appliances relatively long distances in total.Similarly to the frame straightening device itself,'the tools andappliancies used therewith are constructed to take up large loads duringa straightening operation, which meansthat they are often heavy andclumsy, and therefore it normally requires the strength of two men tomove each such tool and appliance.

A straightening station equipped in this manner, requiring additionalpersonnel to manipulate and carry the mentioned straightening tools andauxiliary appliances, requires large investments to be made and isexpensive in operation. Additionally, such a station reduces the spaceavailable for other service or reparation work within the workshop, andconsequently, it is normally only the large garages or vehicle repairshops which are able to install a straightening station capable of beingeconomically rewarding.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforementioneddisadvantages and relates to a vehicle frame and body straighteningdevice which enables existing workshop space to be utilized moreefficiently, which reduces the level of necessary investments andoperation costs, together with the number of personnel required to mandevices of the type envisaged, and which shortens the distance throughwhich the various straightening tools and auxiliary appliances need becarried by their operators, and, in addition thereto, which isconsiderably more stable than known straightening devices.

The invention thus relates to a device for straightening vehicle frames,comprising atleast one wheeled, transportable unit including at leastone horizontal base bar arranged to be anchored to a support surfacesuch as a floor and provided with a longitudinally extending guidestructure for at least one straightening means mounted for longitudinalmovement thereon or therein, said device being characterized in thatsaid straightening means comprises a substantially flat base bracketstructure which is mounted for movement on one edge thereof between twovertical wall elements in the base bar, and that the base bracketstructure is provided on its edge surfaces with abutment surfaces and-/or hearing points for cooperation with auxiliary devices connected tothe base bracket structure during a straightening operation.

The base bar is arranged to enable it to be raised and lowered relativethe wheels by means of servo controlled auxiliary means and in itslowered position is anchored by means of servo controlled locking meansto attachment means arranged in the device supporting surface, e.g. theworkshop floor, in a known manner.

The invention is further characterized by the fact that the basebracketstructure is arranged for longitudinal movement inor on the basebar means of at least one hydraulic assembly located between the basebar and the base brackets structure, and that with an alternativeembodiment the base bracket structure is fixed in position relative tothe base bar by means of cotter pins or like devices.

According to the invention, the inventive device can be used in acombination of alternative embodiments in one and the same straighteningoperation. The in vention will be better understood from the followingdescription, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings,which illustrate different combinations of the device according to theinvention. In the drawings,

FIG. l is a view in perspective of a combination of three straighteningdevices assembled for horizontal vehicle straightening operations,

FIG. 2 illustrates in the same manner a combination of straighteningdevices for vertical straightening operations, and

FIG. 3 illustrates in larger scale a section taken throughllllll in FIG.1.

The reference numeral 1 in FIG. I indicates a rela tively conventionalcombination of three straightening devices for straightening a vehicleframe whose longitudinal frame side members are illustrated with chainlines 4 and 5. Although the straightening devices l are constructed inaccordance with the same basic principle, provision is made to enablealternative auxiliarly appliances to be connected thereto, so that thestraightening devices can be adapted for different purposes. Thus, theoutermost straightening devices l in FIG. I are adapted to operate asforce reaction means during a straightening operation, while the centrestraightening device is adapted to effect the actual straighteningoperation.

. Each separate straightening device ll includes a horizontal base bar 2or 3 provided with longitudinallyextending guide structures forreceiving a base bracket structure 15, l8 mounted for longitudinalmovement therein or thereon. In the illustrated example, the base bar 2has a generally U-shaped cross section and comprises a rectangularbottom plate and two wall elements 7 attached thereto, the wall elementstogether forming a guide track 8 for a base bracket structure 15.

Each of the wall elements 7 is also provided with two I longitudinallyextending guide grooves 12 and 13 via which power generating means arearranged to actuate the base bracket structure 15 from its rest positionto its operating position.

One end portion of the bottom plate 6 is provided with two uprightflanges 9, which embrace the wall elements therebetween and which areeach provided with two attachment holes and 11, to which auxiliaryappliances are intended to be connected.

The base bracket structure is displaceably mounted in the guide groove 8by means of two rollers 16 which are pivotally journalled in the rear,upper portion of the base bracket structure and arranged to bear againstand roll along the upper edge surface of the wall elements 7 withmovement of the base bracket structure in the longitudinal direction,and by means of a roller 17 which is pivotally joumalled between thewall elements 7 in the guide groove 8 and which overlies the front,inner portion of the bracket structure 15. The base bracket structure 15is also provided with horizontally extending lugs 18 which pass throughthe guide grooves 12 in the wall elements 7. As indicated before, thebase bracket structure 15 is actuated by singleacting hydraulicpiston-cylinder assemblies 19 located between the lugs 18 and theflanges 9 of the bottom plate 6 and connected in a conventional mannerto attachment holes in the upright flanges 9 and lugs 18 by means ofbifurcated structures 20 and pins 21. In the illustrated example, thehydraulic piston-cylinder assemblies 19 are arranged to co-act withmeans for returning the base bracket structure to its rest position,comprising tension springs 22 located externally on either side of thewall elements 7. The tension springs 22 are secured between attachmentlugs 24 in the flanges 9 and a pin 23 attached to the base bracketstructure 15 and passing through the guide groove 13. The hydraulicpiston-cylinder assemblies 19 are suitably operated by means of acompressed-air driven hydraulic pump (not shown) capable of beingconnected to hydraulic devices, via hydraulic lines. It will beunderstood that double acting hydraulic piston-cylinder assemblies mayalso be used, although in this instance the base bracket structurereturn means need not of course be used.

Securely mounted to the base bracket structure 15 are two attachmentplates 26, one on either side thereof, between which auxiliarlyappliances designed for connection to the base bracket structure 15 aresecurely locked by quick-locking pins 27 or the like. The auxiliarlyappliance of the illustrated example is in the form of an uppertriangular bracket provided with rows of holes 28 to enable furtherauxiliary means to be connected thereto, for example straightening toolsin the form of T-shaped structures intended to distribute thestraightening forces applied, or outwardly extending arms intended toenable greater accessability to difficultly reached pressure points. Inaddition, arms can be attached for straightening body components ofvehicle cabins or the like.

In the combination illustrated in FIG. 1, the two outer straighteningdevices are provided with base bars 3 which have a slightly differentconstruction than the base bar 2. Thus, on the base plate 6 of the basebar 3 there are attached two longitudinally extending wall elements 45,each of which carries a wall element 46 to form a groove 47, as bestseen from FIG. 3. A base bracket 48 whose lower portion is provided witha plate 49 having a cross-section conforming to the crosssectional shapeof the groove 47 is arranged to be placed in said groove. The positionof the base bracket 48 in the guide groove 47 is fixed by means of a pin50 passing through the groove 47 and the bracket 48 and. when locked inposition, is capable of acting as a reaction surface duringstraightening operations. For the aforementioned purpose, the basebracket 48 is also provided with two attachment plates 26 which, inaccordance with the aforegoing, enable auxiliary means to be quicklyconnected thereto, for example such means as the illustrated uppertriangular bracket 51.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, a straightening tool in the formof a tie-hook 53 is connected to a base bracket structure 52 withattachment plates 54 mounted in the base bar 3 in a known manner. Thetie hook 53 is arranged for quick connection to the bracket 52 by meansof pins 55 and is suitably constructed to bear against the web of thebase bar 3 and against its upper limb during a straightening operation.The hook 53 is also provided with an adjustable hooking means 57arranged to engage the base bar 3, to ensure that the hook 53 is heldsecure thereto. It should be mentioned at this point that thestraightening tools illustrated and described comprise only a few of thewide series of tools which are envisaged for use with the device of thepresent invention.

In the illustrated combination of FIG. 2, the straightening device 1carrying the hydraulic piston-cylinder assemblies 19 is intended forvertical straightening operations. To this end, the pistons 19a of thecylinders are shown as having been removed from the attachment lugs 18of the base bracket structure, and the base bracket structure 15 isshown in a rear rest position, having been returned by the tensionsprings 22. The hydraulic cylinder assemblies 19 are suitably anchoredin holes 11, although if desired and in order to save time, they canremain connected in the holes 10. The hydraulic cylinder assemblies 19are journalled vertically to enable them to be swung to a verticalposition, and the pistons 19a are mounted in a pressure plate 41 whichis pivotally connected with one end of a tie-bar 42, the other end ofwhich is pivotally connected in the forward end of the base bar 2between the wall elements 7.

The straightening device according to the invention is provided with apair of retractable wheels 29, each of which is mounted on angledsupport arms 39. To provide for the necessary stability of the device,the support arms 30 are arranged to diverge inwardly and the inner endsof the arms are non-rotatably attached to a shaft 31, which is rotatablymounted to the base bar 2 or 3. The shaft 31 is provided with an arm(not shown) which is connected to the piston (not shown) of a pneumaticpressure unit 32 attached to the base bar 2 or 3. Alternatively, each ofthe wheels 29 may be mounted to one end of a double-arm lever pivotallymounted to the base bars 2 or 3, one end of the lever being arranged tobe actuated by the piston of the pressure unit 32 in a manner such thatthe wheel 29 is caused to pivot when the piston of the pressure unit ismoved.

The aforedescribed wheel suspension enables the base bar 2 or 3 to beraised and lowered relative to a supporting surface. It is necessarythat the straightening device is stable when performing straighteningoperations, and in view of this the base bar 2, 3 shall be lowered intoan abutment with the supporting surface, for example the workshop floor,and anchored thereto during the straightening operation. In theillustrated combination, the base bar is anchored to the support surfaceby means of anchoring means 34 which includes mechanical tighteningmeans and pneumatic pressure unit 35. The mechanical tightening meanscomprise a plate 36 having a shoulder (not shown) arranged on the undersurface thereof and which, by means of a bayonet type locking means orthe like can be latched in an upward direction to beams 33 located inthe supporting surface. The plate 36 is provided on its upper surfacewith bearing shoulder 37, in which a double-arm lever 38 is pivotallymounted. One arm of the lever 38 supports the pressure unit 35, thepiston 39 of which bears against the plate 36, and upon movement of thepiston the lever is pivoted so that the base bar 2 or 3 is urged againstthe workshop floor. The lever 38 is suitably locked in its operatingposition by means of a wedge 40. The aforedescribed anchoring means 34enables the device to be stably secured quickly and reliably. Manuallyadjustable anchoring means of simple construction can also be used. Forexample, a U-shaped stirrup structure can be anchored to the floor beams33 by means of a threaded bolt passing through the web of the stirrup.

The device of the present invention greatly facilitates handling ofauxiliary appliances necessary for straightening operations, since theoperator is able to equip each separate straightening device at theworkshop storeroom with the relevant auxiliary devices and straighteningtools for the straightening operation in question. In dependence thereofthe number of straightening devices required by the work on hand arethen moved to the working site, this number of devices in the case ofvehicle frame straightening operations normally entailing the threeunits equipped as illustrated in the combination of FIG. 1.

At the working site, each separate straightening device is placed inworking position relative to the object to be straightened, whereafterthe base bars 2, 3 are lowered against the workshop floor by retractingthe wheels 29 in the aforedescribed manner. In the case of horizontalstraightening operations, it is necessary to anchor the base bars 2 and3 to the anchoring means 34, while vertical straightening operationsrequire no such anchoring of the base bars. During the actualstraightening operation, straightening forces are produced by thehydraulic piston-cylinder assemblies 19 mounted on the base bar 2, whilethe tools 51, 53 attached to the base bars 3 constitute force reactionmeans.

In the combination illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the base bars 2 and 3are shown to extend transversally of the beams 33, although with otherstraightening operations it may be necessary to place the base barsparallel with the beams 33. Such a possibility also falls within thepurview of the invention and consequently the bottom plates 6 areprovided with through passing holes (not shown) through which pins orthe like are intended to be moved into engagement with floor reces ses,suitably arranged in the beams 33.

Subsequent to completing a straightening operation, the anchoring meansare released and the base bars are lifted to transport position and theseparate auxiliary means and straightening tools are loaded onto thedevices, whereafter said devices may simply be moved to the toolstoreroom to await further use.

Within the scope of the invention, it may be applied to vehicle bodiesother than those described above. For instance, it may be applied tocontainers, caravan bodies and the like.

What we claim is:

1. A device for straightening vehicle frames and bodies, comprising atleast three straightening units and a supporting surface, eachstraightening unit comprising an essentially horizontal base bar havingat least one pair of pivotably mounted wheels operable by means of aservo unit to regulate the position of the base bar between a workingposition in abutment with the supporting surface and a transportposition above said surface, each straightening unit having servo controlled means for anchoring, when in a working position, the base bar toanchoring means in the supporting surface, each of said base bars havinga longitudinally extending guide structure for at least one base bracketstructure selectively displaceable related to said guide structure, eachbase bracket structure having predetermined attachment points for atleast one auxiliary straightening device, at least one of thestraightening units having a force generating means acting on the basebracket structure to displace said structure relative to the base bar togenerate a straightening force, and at least one straightening unithaving its base bracket structure arranged to resist said force, thebase bars of the units being essentially parallel to each other when inworking position, and the distance between said base bars beingadjustable.

2. The device for straightening; vehicle frames and bodies according toclaim 1 wherein the base bracket structure is provided with transverselyextending, horizontal lugs passing through grooves in the wall elementsof the base bar, and wherein the base bracket structure is mounted forlongitudinal movement in the base bar under the influence of at leastone hydraulic unit located on the outside of the wall elements betweenthe base bar and the base bracket structure.

3. The device for straightening vehicle frames and bodies according toclaim 1 further comprising a lower plate member for guiding the basebracket structure in the base bar, one end of said lower plate memberbeing arranged to engage said base bar in a downwardly widening, opengroove located between said wall elements.

4. The device for straightening vehicle frames and bodies according toclaim 1 wherein said base bracket structure is provided with attachmentplates to enable auxiliary straightening appliances to be quicklyconnected thereto.

5. The device for straightening vehicle frames and bodies according toclaim 2 wherein when used for vertical straightening operations, the:hydraulic unit is arranged so that the said unit is released from itsattachment to the base bracket and connected to a straightening toolcapable of being mounted to the base bar.

* l= k =l

1. A device for straightening vehicle frames and bodies, comprising atleast three straightening units and a supporting surface, eachstraightening unit comprising an essentially horizontal base bar havingat least one pair of pivotably mounted wheels operable by means of aservo unit to regulate the position of the base bar between a workingposition in abutment with the supporting surface and a transportposition above said surface, each straightening unit having servocontrolled means for anchoring, when in a working position, the base barto anchoring means in the supporting surface, each of said base barshaving a longitudinally extending guide structure for at least one basebracket structure selectively displaceable related to said guidestructure, each base bracket structure having predetermined attachmentpoints for at least one auxiliary straightening device, at Least one ofthe straightening units having a force generating means acting on thebase bracket structure to displace said structure relative to the basebar to generate a straightening force, and at least one straighteningunit having its base bracket structure arranged to resist said force,the base bars of the units being essentially parallel to each other whenin working position, and the distance between said base bars beingadjustable.
 2. The device for straightening vehicle frames and bodiesaccording to claim 1 wherein the base bracket structure is provided withtransversely extending, horizontal lugs passing through grooves in thewall elements of the base bar, and wherein the base bracket structure ismounted for longitudinal movement in the base bar under the influence ofat least one hydraulic unit located on the outside of the wall elementsbetween the base bar and the base bracket structure.
 3. The device forstraightening vehicle frames and bodies according to claim 1 furthercomprising a lower plate member for guiding the base bracket structurein the base bar, one end of said lower plate member being arranged toengage said base bar in a downwardly widening, open groove locatedbetween said wall elements.
 4. The device for straightening vehicleframes and bodies according to claim 1 wherein said base bracketstructure is provided with attachment plates to enable auxiliarystraightening appliances to be quickly connected thereto.
 5. The devicefor straightening vehicle frames and bodies according to claim 2 whereinwhen used for vertical straightening operations, the hydraulic unit isarranged so that the said unit is released from its attachment to thebase bracket and connected to a straightening tool capable of beingmounted to the base bar.